I agree, but I still think the idea/algorithm/etc should be conveyed in sentences and math in the body of the paper. The code should purely be optional and not

I agree, but I still think the idea/algorithm/etc should be conveyed in sentences and math in the body of the paper. The code should purely be optional and not associated with the paper. I think the problem here is the author is referencing code in the paper, which puts the onus on the journal to evaluate the code. Juts put the code on your website. If people want it enough they will google you.